Newark Mayor Cory Booker told Democratic county chairs that he is considering a run for New Jersey governor in 2013, the New York Observer's PolitickerNJ reported Thursday.

Booker has reportedly been taking meetings with party chairs in the weeks ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which begins on September 3 in Charlotte, N.C. During these meetings, Booker and adviser Mark Matzen have expressed interest in challenging Gov. Chris Christie (R) next year.

By virtue of his fundraising ability, charisma and potential to transcend a fragmented state party, others see him, at the very least, as the preferred nominee.

“He’s the most viable candidate who comes to mind at this moment,” said Charlotte DeFilippo, chair of the Union County Democratic Committee.

Booker, who many consider to be a rising star in the Democratic Party, has previously hinted at his willingness to run for higher office. Last month, he told a group in Fair Lawn, N.J. that he was "strongly considering the options" for when his term ends in 2014, indicating that he might run for governor or U.S. Senate.

However, Booker's bipartisan alliance with Christie has led some to doubt that the Newark mayor would challenge the popular Republican governor. The unlikely duo even teamed up for a Seinfeld-esque video earlier this summer, playing up their friendly rivalry.

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Chris Christie's Greatest Hits

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(Oct. 4, 2011) -- Christie announced that he will not run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, vowing that "now is not my time." He quipped to New Jersey residents
"whether you like it or not, you're stuck with me."

LEBANON, N.H. (Oct. 11, 2011) -- After dismissing calls to run for president himself, Christie endorsed Romney, telling the GOP that he is the candidate we need now.

WEST NEW YORK, N.J. (Dec. 7, 2011) -- At a local town hall, Christie did not take kindly to a constituent's question about how his administration conducts these types of meetings. He showed the individual little mercy, going "if I plant questions, why the hell did I call on you?"

(Dec. 8, 2011) -- Occupy Wall Street protesters interrupted Christie during an appearance in Iowa, making him a target of the movement's "mic check" trend.

(Feb. 21, 2012) -- In an interview with CNN's Piers Morgan, Christie had some choice words for Warren Buffett, surrounding the billionaire investor's desire to be taxed at a higher rate. "Just write a check and shut up," he remarked.

(March 9, 2012) -- Christie argued with a former Navy SEAL over the New Jersey's plans to reconfigure public universities. The result? Some fire from the governor's tongue, as he called the veteran an "idiot."

(April 13, 2012) -- Throughout Mitt Romney's run for the White House, Christie made it known that he was open to a vice presidential nod (should Romney ask him).

(April 19, 2012) -- Christie vehemently denied reports that he was sleeping at a Bruce Springsteen concert in New York City.

(April 30, 2012) -- Christie responded to jokes comedian Jimmy Kimmel made about his weight at the 2012 White House Correspondents Dinner, throwing Sofia Vergara into the mix. "I figured I was in the zone of danger," he said.

(Aug. 14, 2012) -- After entertaining the idea of running for president and making Mitt Romney's short list of VP candidates, Christie was named the keynote speaker at the 2012 Republican National Convention. "I'll try to tell some very direct and hard truths to people in the country about the trouble that we're in and the fact that fixing those problems is not going to be easy for any of them," he told USA Today.